It is a known fact that touch screen technology has been around for a very long time. Nonetheless, the various advanced features of this technology have become prominent recently. As far as technology is concerned, it is the direct manipulation-type gesture-based technology. Additionally, direct manipulation is the ability to manipulate and control the digital world within a screen.
A touch screen is basically an electronic visual display which is capable of recognising and locating a touch over its display area. To put it simply, it refers to touching the display of the device with a finger or hand to bring forth a response from the device. This world-famous technology is found in computers, smartphones, tablets, interactive user machines, and various other devices. Most essentially, this technology substitutes most functions of the mouse and keyboard quite effectively.
The touch screen technology
More and more companies are incorporating this sophisticated technology into their products. The most common touch technologies consist of resistive, capacitive, and SAW (surface acoustic wave). Majority of low-end touch screen devices have a standard printed circuit plug-in board, and they are used on SPI protocol. As far as the system, it consists of two parts, namely hardware and software. The hardware architecture consists of a stand-alone embedded system making use of an 8-bit microcontroller, a multitude of interface and driver circuits.
Coming to the most important aspect, the system software driver consists of an interactive C programming language. This article lists and expounds on the various types of touch screen technology. Besides that, it discusses the numerous components and working on a touch screen in an offer to acquaint you with the basics of touch screen technology.
What are the various types of touch screen technology?
The Touch screen is basically a two-dimensional sensing device composed of two sheets of materials. Moreover, it separates by spacers. There are four major touch screen technologies, namely Capacitive, Resistive, infrared (IR), and Surface Acoustic wave (SAW). Here are the various types of touch screen technology.
1. Capacitive
In a capacitive touch screen, the panel is overlaid with a material that stores electrical charges. The capacitive systems are able to transfer up to ninety per cent of light from the monitor. Furthermore, it is divided into 2 different categories widely known as Surface-capacitive technology and projected capacitive technology. In Surface-capacitive technology, only one side of the insulator covers with a conducting layer. Whenever a human finger comes in contact with the screen, it leads to the formation of a dynamic capacitor.
The controller measures the change in capacitance at the four corners of the screen and detects the position of the touch. Whereas in projected capacitive technology, the conductive layer is etched. As a result, a grid of multiple horizontal and vertical electrodes form. It involves sensing along both the X and Y axis making use of distinctly etched ITO pattern. Lastly, the projective screen consists of a sensor at every interaction of the row and column to boost the accuracy of the system.
2. Resistive
The resistive touch screen consists of a pliable top layer composed of polythene and a firm bottom layer made of glass segregated by insulating dots, affixed to a touch screen controller. Although resistive touch screen panels are budget-friendly they only offer seventy-five per cent of the light monitor. Additionally, sharp objects can cause damage to the layer as well. The construction design of all the modules of the resistive touch screen is identical to some extent, but there are indubitably some major differences in each of its methods to figure out the coordinates of the touch.
3. Infrared
In infrared touch screen technology, an arrangement of X and Y axis fastens with pairs of IR LEDs and photodetectors. In addition to that, the photodetectors detect any image in the pattern of light effused by the LEDs whenever the finger of the user comes in contact with the screen.
4. Surface Acoustic wave
The surface acoustic wave technology consists of two transducers placed along both the axis of the monitor’s glass plate with some reflectors. When you touch the screen, the waves assimilate, and the touch detects at that point. These reflectors mirror the electric signals sent from one transducer to another. Most essentially, the technology provides outstanding output and quality at the same time.
Components and working of a touch screen
A basic touch screen comprises of three main components, namely a touch sensor, a controller, and a software driver. The touch screen requires to combine with a display and a computer to turn it into a touch screen system. Here are the various components of touch screen technology along with a concise overview of its working.
1. Touch sensor
The sensor consists of an electric current or signal going through it which can activate when a human touches the screen. You can easily analyze the location of the touch of the screen by the change in the signals.
2. Controller
A controller acquires information from the sensor and translates it so that the PC can understand. It determines the type of connection that you require. Most importantly, it connects between the touch sensor and PC so that it serves its purpose.
3. Software driver
There is no doubt that software drivers are indeed one of the essential components of the touch screen. The software drivers make it possible for the computer and touch screen to work in unison. Additionally, the software drivers tell the operating system how to react to the touch event information that comes from the controller.
Final WordsÂ
Be it a smartphone or laptop; touch screen technology is present in all the modern day devices. The high prevalence of this remarkable technology has made it famous all over the world. Last but not least, if you are willing to avail the phenomenal benefits of this world-famous touch screen technology, you should go for it without a second thought.